After the death of Prince Andrei, both Princess Marya and
Natasha brood in silence and avoid company. The shadow of
death haunts them and they are unable to emerge out of it. They
feel uncomfortable in the presence of others and when together,
avoid talking about Andrei. Memories torture them. Natasha
goes through a phase of depression and keeps to herself. Marya
is made to face life, as she has to attend to Nikolushka and her
financial matters. She also plans to leave for Moscow, since her
house in that city is ready for occupation now.

News arrives about the death of Petya. The Rostov household is
too shocked to believe it. The Countess is inconsolable. Marya
postpones her visit to Moscow and Natasha comes out of her
shell. Natasha forgets her own grief to offer solace to her mother.
Slowly and steadily, the Countess comes to grips with her
situation. Marya bids goodbye to the Rostovs and takes Natasha
with her to Moscow.

In the battlefront, the Russian soldiers pursue their enemy till
Berezina, in spite of opposition from Kutuzov. Doggedly, they
pursue their enemy and drive them out. In the process, not only
do they kill their enemy but also get killed. When Kutuzov tries
to stop them, they criticize him. Kutuzov is unaffected by
criticism; he only asks the high command to replace Bennigsen,
as he is unable to tolerate the latter’s rash actions.

In the last days of the battle, the Russian army makes merry and
mixes with the enemy prisoners as friends. Those who have
survived the war, feel proud of their contribution. Pierre retreats
back from Smolensk to Moscow but on the way, falls ill at Orel
and is hospitalized. Princess Katerina comes to Orel along with
her servants to attend on him. She notices the pleasant change in
Pierre’s personality and feels happy about it.

On reaching Moscow, Pierre clears his debts created by Ellen
and rebuilds his house. He pays a visit to Princes Marya and is
delighted to meet Natasha. He experiences the same feeling for
Natasha that he had felt earlier and feels happy about it. Natasha
also opens up in front of Pierre and feels relieved. She realizes
that she loves Pierre. Thus, when he proposes to her, she is too
happy to accept him.

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Notes

In this last part of Book IV, Tolstoy talks about Greatness and
the failure of people to recognize it. Kutuzov is a true patriot and
an astute General. He loves his country and tries to avoid the
slaughter of his soldiers in the battle. He realizes the futility of
chasing a running army. Thus, he tries to avoid the Russian
attack on French as the latter march towards Smolensk.
However, the Generals and soldiers fail to appreciate his attitude
and blame him for the lapses on the Russian side. Even the Tsar
is of the view that he lacks initiative and drive. Thus, Kutuzov
receives the order of St. George but his powers are reduced.

Love kindles in the heart of the protagonists of the novel.
Natasha who had lost interest in life after the death of Andrei,
feels the power of love within her. After Petya’s demise, when
the Countess is inconsolable, Natasha is drawn towards her. She
feels the need to share her mother’s grief because it reminds her
of her own. In has a cathartic effect on her. Understanding the
pain of losing the loved one, makes Natasha love her mother all
the more. Later, talking to Pierre about Andrei unburdens her
heart and relieves her of her sorrow. Suddenly, she finds love
kindling in her heart. Sharing sorrow with Pierre, she
experiences a strange feeling of love for him, as she becomes
aware of the generosity of his heart.

Pierre is another character in the novel that experiences the
pleasure of loving. After the harrowing experience of spending
sleepless nights inside dirty prison houses, Pierre understands the
value of life, love and freedom. He becomes more tolerant with
others and bears no ill will against his antagonists. His cousin
who meets him at the hospital is surprised to find him easy to
talk to and please. Even Natasha finds him strangely attractive.
Suffering has ennobled Pierre and he radiates a feeling of good.
He is moved by Natasha’s plight. He desires to share his life with
her and make her happy. Discovering his love for her, he also
understands the joy of living.